Presenter:
Vernon Bevill

I. DISCUSSION: Responsibility
for establishing seasons,
bag limits, means, methods,
and devices for harvesting
migratory game birds within
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) frameworks is
delegated to the Commission
under Chapter 64, Subchapter
C, Parks and Wildlife Code.
Parks and Wildlife Code, §64.022
authorizes the Executive
Director, after notification
of the Chairman, to engage
in rulemaking. The Regulations
Committee at its April 2001
meeting authorized staff
to publish the proposed
regulations (located at
Exhibit A) in the Texas
Register for public comment.
The proposed regulations
appeared in the April 27,
2001 issue of the Texas
Register (26 TexReg 3141).
Staff has gathered and analyzed
public comment (located
at Exhibit B), and an updated
summary will be available
at the time of the meeting.

At present, Service has
not issued the annual regulatory
frameworks for migratory
game birds. Since the current
regulations reflect the
Commission's policy to provide
the most liberal harvest
provisions permissible under
the federal frameworks,
staff recommends retaining
the current provisions (adjusted
for calendar shift) should
the Service frameworks remain
unchanged from last year.
Should the Service issue
frameworks that alter any
existing options or offer
new options for hunter opportunity,
the department will adopt
the most liberal provisions
possible, while affording
needed protection to the
resource.

“The Texas Parks
and Wildlife Commission
adopts amendments to 31
TAC §§65.315
and 65.319, concerning
the Migratory Game Bird
Proclamation, with changes
to the proposed text (located
at Exhibit A) as published
in the April 27, 2001,
issue of the Texas
Register (26 TexReg 3141).”

2001-2002
Migratory Gamebird Proclamation
Proposal Preamble

1. Introduction.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife
Commission proposes amendments
to §§65.314, 65.315,
and 65.317 - 65.321, concerning
the Migratory Game Bird
Proclamation. The amendment
to §65.314, concerning
Zones and Boundaries for
Early Season Species, creates
additional recreational
opportunity by opening parts
of the previously closed
mid- and lower-Gulf coasts
to sandhill crane hunting.
The area would be included
in the current Zone C; however,
the daily bag limit would
be reduced from three to
two birds. The amendment
would also adjust the eastern
boundary of Zone B to match
the boundary of the Goose
Zone to minimize impacts
of potential changes to
the Light Goose Conservation
Season later this year by
the federal government.
The amendment to §65.315,
concerning Open Seasons
and Bag and Possession Limits
- Early Season Species,
adjusts the season dates
for early-season species
of migratory game birds
to account for calendar-shift
and would replace the current
60-day, 15-bird per day
season with a 70-day, 12-bird
per day season. The amendment
to §65.117, concerning
Zones and Boundaries for
Late Season Species, would
alter the boundary of the
North Duck Zone to create
additional hunting opportunity
in southeast Texas. The
amendment to §65.118,
concerning Open Seasons
and Bag and Possession Limits
- Late Season Species, adjusts
the season dates for late-season
species of migratory game
birds to account for calendar-shift.
The amendment to §65.319,
concerning Extended Falconry
Season—Early Season
Species, adjusts season
dates for the take of early-season
species of migratory game
birds by means of falconry.
The amendment to §65.320,
concerning Extended Falconry
Season—Late Season
Species, adjusts season
dates for the take of late-season
species of migratory game
birds by means of falconry.
The amendment to §65.321,
concerning Special Management
Provisions, adjust the dates
for the Special Snow Goose
Conservation Period to account
for calendar shift. The
amendments are necessary
to implement commission
policy to provide maximum
hunter opportunity possible
under frameworks issued
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service). The Service
has not issued regulatory
frameworks for the 2001-2002
hunting seasons for migratory
game birds; however, the
department intends to follow
commission policy in adopting
the most liberal provisions
possible under the frameworks
in order to provide maximum
hunter opportunity.

2. Fiscal Note.

Robert Macdonald, Wildlife
Division regulations coordinator,
has determined that for
the first five years that
the amendments as proposed
are in effect, there will
be no additional fiscal
implications to state or
local governments of enforcing
or administering the amendments.

3. Public Benefit-Cost
Note.

Mr. Macdonald also has
determined that for each
of the first five years
the amendments are in effect:

(A) The public benefit
anticipated as a result
of enforcing the rules as
proposed will be the department's
discharge of its statutory
obligation to manage and
conserve the state's populations
of migratory game birds,
as well as the implementation
of commission policy to
maximize recreational opportunity
for the citizenry.

(B) There will be no effect
on small businesses, microbusinesses,
or persons required to comply
with the rules as proposed.

(C) The department has
not filed a local impact
statement with the Texas
Workforce Commission as
required by Government Code, §2001.022,
as the department has determined
that the rules as proposed
will not impact local economies.

(D) The department has
determined that there will
not be a taking of private
real property, as defined
by Government Code, Chapter
2007, as a result of the
proposed rules.

The amendments are proposed
under Parks and Wildlife
Code, Chapter 64, which
authorizes the Commission
and the Executive Director
to provide the open season
and means, methods, and
devices for the hunting
and possessing of migratory
game birds.

The amendments affect Parks
and Wildlife Code, Chapter
64.

§65.314. Zones and
Boundaries for Early Season
Species

(a) Rails: statewide.

(b) Mourning and white-winged
doves.

(1) North Zone: That portion
of the state north of a
line beginning at the International
Bridge south of Fort Hancock;
thence north along FM 1088
to State Highway 20; thence
west along State Highway
20 to State Highway 148;
thence north along State
Highway 148 to Interstate
Highway 10 at Fort Hancock;
thence east along Interstate
Highway 10 to Interstate
Highway 20; thence northeast
along Interstate Highway
20 to Interstate Highway
30 at Fort Worth; thence
northeast along Interstate
Highway 30 to the Texas-Arkansas
state line.

(2) Central Zone: That
portion of the state between
the North Zone and the South
Zone.

(3) South Zone: That portion
of the state south of a
line beginning at the International
Toll Bridge in Del Rio;
thence northeast along U.S.
Highway 277 Spur to U.S.
Highway 90 in Del Rio; thence
east along U.S. Highway
90 to Interstate Highway
10 at San Antonio; thence
east along Interstate Highway
10 to the Texas-Louisiana
State Line.

(4) Special white-winged
dove area: That portion
of the state south and west
of a line beginning at the
International Toll Bridge
in Del Rio; thence northeast
along U.S. Highway 277 Spur
to U.S. Highway 90 in Del
Rio; thence east along U.S.
Highway 90 to United States
Highway 83 at Uvalde; thence
south along U.S. Highway
83 to State Highway 44;
thence east along State
Highway 44 to State Highway
16 at Freer; thence south
along State Highway 16 to
State Highway 285 at Hebbronville;
thence east along State
Highway 285 to FM 1017;
thence southeast along FM
1017 to State Highway 186
at Linn; thence east along
State Highway 186 to the
Mansfield Channel at Port
Mansfield; thence east along
the Mansfield Channel to
the Gulf of Mexico.

(c) Gallinules (Moorhen
or common gallinule and
purple gallinule): statewide.

(d) Teal ducks (blue-winged,
green-winged, and cinnamon):
statewide.

(e) Sandhill cranes.

(1) Zone A: that portion
of Texas lying west of a
line beginning at the international
toll bridge at Laredo, thence
northeast along U.S. Highway
81 to its junction with
Interstate Highway 35 in
Laredo, thence north along
Interstate Highway 35 to
its junction with Interstate
Highway 10 in San Antonio,
thence northwest along Interstate
Highway 10 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 83 at
Junction, thence north along
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 62, 16
miles north of Childress,
thence east along U.S. Highway
62 to the Texas-Oklahoma
state line.

(2) Zone B: that portion
of Texas lying within boundaries
beginning at the junction
of U.S. Highway
81 [Interstate
Highway 35] and the
Texas-Oklahoma state line,
thence southeast [south]
along U.S. Highway
81 [Interstate
Highway 35 (following Interstate
Highway 35 West through
Fort Worth)] to its
junction with U.S.
Highway 287 in Montague
County, thence southeast
along U.S. Highway 287 to
its junction with Interstate
Highway 35W in Fort Worth,
thence southwest along Interstate
Highway 35 to its junction
with Interstate
Highway 10 in San Antonio, thence
northwest along Interstate
Highway 10 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 83 in
Junction, thence north along
U.S. Highway 83 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 62, 16
miles north of Childress,
thence east along U.S. Highway
62 to the Texas-Oklahoma
state line, thence south
along the Texas-Oklahoma
state line to the south
bank of the Red River, thence
eastward along the vegetation
line on the south bank of
the Red River to U.S. Highway
81 [eastward
along the Texas-Oklahoma
state line to Interstate
Highway 35].

(3) Zone C: the
remainder of the state,
except for the closed
areas specified in paragraph
(4) of this subsection.

(4) closed areas:

(A) that portion
of the state lying east
and north of a line beginning
at the junction of U.S.
Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma
state line, thence southeast
along U.S. Highway 81
to its junction with U.S.
Highway 287 in Montague
County, thence southeast
along U.S. Highway 287
to its junction with Interstate
Highway 35W in Fort Worth,
thence southwest along
Interstate Highway 35
to its junction with U.S.
Highway 290 East in Austin,
thence east along U.S.
Highway 290 to its junction
with Interstate Loop 610
in Harris County, thence
south and east along Interstate
Loop 610 to its junction
with Interstate Highway
45 in Houston, thence
south on Interstate Highway
45 to State Highway 342,
thence to the shore of
the Gulf of Mexico, and
thence north and east
along the shore of the
Gulf of Mexico to the
Texas-Louisiana state
line.

(B) that portion
of the state lying within
the boundaries of a line
beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces
county line and the shore
of the Gulf of Mexico,
thence west along the
county line to Park Road
22 in Nueces County, thence
north and west along Park
Road 22 to its junction
with State Highway 358
in Corpus Christi, thence
west and north along State
Highway 358 to its junction
with State Highway 286,
thence north along State
Highway 286 to its junction
with Interstate Highway
37, thence east along
Interstate Highway 37
to its junction with U.S.
Highway 181, thence north
and west along U.S. Highway
181 to its junction with
U.S. Highway 77 in Sinton,
thence north and east
along U.S. Highway 77
to its junction with U.S.
Highway 87 in Victoria,
thence south and east
along U.S. Highway 87
to its junction with State
Highway 35 at Port Lavaca,
thence north and east
along State Highway 35
to the south end of the
Lavaca Bay Causeway, thence
south and east along the
shore of Lavaca Bay to
its junction with the
Port Lavaca Ship Channel,
thence south and east
along the Lavaca Bay Ship
Channel to the Gulf of
Mexico, and thence south
and west along the shore
of the Gulf of Mexico
to the Kleberg-Nueces
county line. [that
portion of Texas lying
within boundaries beginning
at the international toll
bridge at Brownsville,
thence north and east
along U.S. Highway 77
to its junction with U.S.
Highway 87 at Victoria,
thence eastward along
U.S. Highway 87 to its
junction with Farm Road
616 at Placedo, thence
north and east along Farm
Road 616 to its junction
with State Highway 35,
thence north and east
along State Highway 35
to its junction with State
Highway 6 at Alvin, thence
west and north along State
Highway 6 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 290,
thence westward along
U.S. Highway 290 to its
junction with Interstate
Highway 35 at Austin,
thence south along Interstate
Highway 35 to its junction
with U.S. Highway 81 in
Laredo, thence southwest
along U.S. Highway 81
to the international toll
bridge in Laredo, thence
south and east along the
U.S.-Mexico international
boundary to its junction
with the U.S. Highway
77 international toll
bridge at Brownsville].

(B) Daily bag limit: 12 [15]
mourning doves, white-winged
doves, and white-tipped
(white-fronted) doves in
the aggregate, including
no more than two white-tipped
doves per day;

(C) Possession limit: 24 [30]
mourning doves, white-winged
doves, and white-tipped
doves in the aggregate,
including no more than four
white-tipped doves in possession.

(3) South Zone.

(A) Dates: Except in the
special white-winged dove
area as defined in §65.314
of this title (relating
to Zones and Boundaries
for Early Season Species), September
21-November 4, 2001 [September
22 - November 5, 2000],
and December 26,
2001-January 19, 2002 [December
26, 2000- January 9, 2001.
In the special white-winged
dove area, the mourning
dove season is September
22 - November 5, 2000, and
December 26, 2000-January
5, 2001].

(B) Daily bag limit: 12 [15]
mourning doves, white-winged
doves, and white-tipped
(white-fronted) doves in
the aggregate, including
no more than two white-tipped
doves per day;

(C) Possession limit: 24 [30]
mourning doves, white-winged
doves, and white-tipped
doves in the aggregate,
including no more than four
white-tipped doves in possession.

(2) Daily bag and possession
limits: 15 in the aggregate
per day; 30 in the aggregate
in possession.

(d) September teal-only
season.

(1) Dates: September
15-30, 2001 [September
15-30, 2000].

(2) Daily bag and possession
limits: four in the aggregate
per day; eight in the aggregate
in possession.

(e) Red-billed pigeons,
and band-tailed pigeons.
No open season.

(f) Shorebirds. No open
season.

(g) Sandhill cranes. A
free permit is required
of any person to hunt sandhill
cranes in areas where an
open season is provided
under this proclamation.
Permits will be issued on
an impartial basis with
no limitation on the number
of permits that may be issued.
[The daily bag limit
is three. The possession
limit is six].

(1) High Plains Mallard
Management Unit: that portion
of Texas lying west of a
line from the international
toll bridge at Del Rio,
thence northward following
U.S. Highway 277 to Abilene,
State Highway 351 and State
Highway 6 to Albany, and
U.S. Highway 283 from Albany
to Vernon, thence eastward
along U.S. Highway 183 to
the Texas-Oklahoma state
line.

(2) North Zone: that portion
of Texas not in the High
Plains Mallard Management
Unit but north of a line
from the International Toll
Bridge in Del Rio; thence
northeast along U.S. Highway
277 Spur to U.S. Highway
90 in Del Rio; thence east
along U.S. Highway 90 to
Interstate Highway 10 at
San Antonio; thence east
along Interstate Highway
10 to Interstate
Highway 45 at Houston; thence
southeast along Interstate
Highway 45 to Texas State
Highway 342, thence south
along Texas State Highway
342 to the Gulf of Mexico [the
Texas-Louisiana State Line].

(3) South Zone: the remainder
of the state.

(b) Geese.

(1) Western Zone: that
portion of Texas lying west
of a line from the international
toll bridge at Laredo, thence
northward following IH 35
and 35W to Fort Worth, thence
northwest along U.S. Highways
81 and 287 to Bowie, thence
northward along U.S. Highway
81 to the Texas-Oklahoma
state line.

(2) Eastern Zone: the remainder
of the state.

§65.318. Open Seasons
and Bag and Possession Limits—Late
Season. Except as specifically
provided in this section,
the possession limit for
all species listed in this
section shall be twice the
daily bag limit.

(1) Ducks, mergansers,
and coots. The daily bag
limit for ducks is six,
which may include no more
than five mallards or Mexican
mallards (Mexican duck),
only two of which may be
hens, three scaup, one mottled
duck, one pintail, two redheads,
one canvasback, and two
wood ducks. The daily bag
limit for coots is 15. The
daily bag limit for mergansers
is five, which may include
no more than one hooded
merganser.

(3) Special Youth-Only
Season. There shall be a
special youth-only duck
season during which the
hunting, taking, and possession
of ducks, mergansers, and
coots is restricted to licensed
hunters 15 years of age
and younger accompanied
by a person 18 years of
age or older, except for
persons hunting by means
of falconry under the provisions
of §65.320 of this
chapter (relating to Extended
Falconry Season—Late
Season Species). Bag and
possession limits in any
given zone during the season
established by this paragraph
shall be as provided for
that zone by paragraph (1)
of this section. Season
dates are as follows:

(b) The daily bag and possession
limits for migratory game
birds under this section
shall not exceed three and
six birds, respectively,
singly or in the aggregate.

§65.321. Special Management
Provisions. The provisions
of paragraphs (1)-(3) of
this section apply only
to the hunting of light
geese. All provisions of
this subchapter continue
in effect unless specifically
provided otherwise in this
section; however, where
this section conflicts with
the provisions of this subchapter,
this section prevails.

(1) Means and methods.
In addition to the means
and methods authorized in §65.310(a)
of this title (relating
to Means , Methods, and
Special Requirements), the
following means and methods
are lawful during the time
periods set forth in paragraph
(5) of this section:

(A) shotguns capable of
holding more than three
shells; and

(B) electronic calling
devices.

(2) Possession. During
the time periods set forth
in paragraph (5) of this
section:

(A) there shall be no bag
or possession limits; and

(B) the provisions of §65.312
of this title (relating
to Possession of Migratory
Game Birds) do not apply;
and

(C) a person may give,
leave, receive, or possess
legally taken light geese
or their parts, provided
the birds are accompanied
by a wildlife resource document
from the person who killed
the birds. The wildlife
resource document is not
required if the possessor
lawfully killed the birds;
the birds are transferred
at the personal residence
of the donor or donee; or
the possessor also possesses
a valid hunting license,
a valid waterfowl stamp,
and is HIP certified. The
wildlife resource document
shall accompany the birds
until the birds reach their
final destination, and must
contain the following information:

(i) the name, signature,
address, and hunting license
number of the person who
killed the birds;

(ii) the name of the person
receiving the birds;

(iii) the number and species
of birds or parts;

(iv) the date the birds
were killed; and

(v) the location where
the birds were killed (e.g.,
name of ranch; area; lake,
bay, or stream; county).

(3) Shooting hours. During
the time periods set forth
in paragraph (5) of this
section, shooting hours
are from one half-hour before
sunrise until one half-hour
after sunset.

(4) Early closures. The
open season for the following
species of migratory birds
are closed until further
notice as of sunset on the
dates indicated:

(A) sandhill crane:

(i) Zones A and
B [Zone A]: February
10, 2002 [February
11, 2001];

(ii) Zone [Zones
B] and C: January
20, 2002 [January
21, 2002]; and

(B) light geese: Eastern
Zone: January 20,
2002 [January
21, 20021].

(5) Special Light Goose
Conservation Period.

(A) From January
21, 2002 [January
22, 2001] through March
31, 2002 [April
1, 2001], the take
of light geese is lawful
in the Eastern Zone as
defined in §65.317
of this title (relating
to Zones and Boundaries
for Late Season Species).

(B) From February
12, 2002 [February
12, 2001] through March
31, 2002 [April
1, 2001], the take
of light geese is lawful
in the Western Zone as
defined in §65.317
of this title (relating
to Zones and Boundaries
for Late Season Species).

This agency hereby certifies
that the proposal has been
reviewed by legal counsel
and found to be within the
agency's authority to adopt.

Summary
of Public Comments
5/8/2001

We have received a total
of 339 comments to date
on early season migratory
game bird hunting regulations
for fall 2001. These include
66 telephone calls, 29 letters,
216 emails, 6 personal contacts
and 22 public hearing comments
(Table 1). For the first
time the number of email
comments have out-numbered
all other forms of comment
combined.

Most of the comments dealt
with the mourning dove daily
bag limit and season length
issue currently proposed
in the Texas Register. The
TPW Commission adopted a
15-dove daily bag limit
and a 60-day season (15/60)
in 1994 after 12 years of
a 12 dove daily bag limit
and a 70-day season (12/70).
We have received a total
of 303 comments on this
issue statewide (Table 2).
The majority (59.7%) prefers
15/60 instead of 12/70.

The majority (79.4%, N=34)
of persons who hunted primarily
the North Zone preferred
staying with 15/60. In the
Central Zone, there was
no clear majority (53.1%
for 12/70 and 46.9% for
15/60, N=49). Likewise,
in the South Zone, comments
were evenly split (50% for
12/70 and 50% for 15/60,
N=36).

In the last 8 years, we
have received 606 comments
on this issue (Table 3).
Most of the comments occur
in those years when formal
proposed changes in daily
bag and season length (i.e.,
1993, 1998, 2000). Until
1998, most of the comments
received statewide favored
12/70 (Table 4). Since then,
most comments have generally
favored 15/60. Over all
8 years, statewide the majority
(55%) of people commenting
have favored 15/60 with
North Zone hunters preferring
15/60, Central Zone hunters
evenly divided and South
Zone hunters preferring
12/70.

In addition, we have mailed
a hunter opinion survey
on this issue to 16,000
Certified Migratory Game
Bird Hunters (HIP). We expect
3,000 useable responses
from that survey. Preliminary
results are not available
at this time. Results will
be presented to the TPW
Commission on May 30, 2001.
Also, we are holding 2 additional
public hearings specifically
on the dove bag limit and
season length issue. One
will be held in San Antonio
are May 16 and in Grapevine
on May 17. Following is
a summary of each contact
name, date, location, and
comment by type:

Telephone calls:

1. Stick Lamar, 7/5/00.
Wants the dove season in
the South Zone to open on
a set date (like Sept. 20)
regardless of the day of
the week so he can consistently
plan his hunting trip.

3. Harvey Loep, 9/4/00,
Nederwald. Landowner (100ac)
requested closing dove season
for a few years because
of drought and habitat changes. “We
don’t have 10% of
the doves we had during
the 1950’s and 1960’s.”

3. Barry Trice, 9/6/00.
Lamesa, S. edge of Dawson
Co. Has lots of doves but
season opening on Sept.
1 is too early because doves
still nesting in his yard.
Prefers Oct. 1 opening in
Central Zone. He sees more
larger doves later in Dec.,
Jan, and Feb. and would
like more days in the winter
season segment.

4. Horace Gore, 9/27/00.
Requests extension of the
Special Whitewing Hunting
Area to all of South Texas.
With range expansion of
whitewings, they are an
under-utilized resource
that could provide more
hunting opportunity.

5. John Daylan, 12/15/00.
Brazoria County. Landowner
(1,000ac) says dove season
opens too late in his area.
The doves are gone by late
September and don’t
arrive until October and
November. The winter season
is ‘worthless’ because
of conflicts with deer and
waterfowl hunting. He prefers
one consecutive season beginning
Sept. 1 in his area.

6. Milam Braemer, 1/5/01,
Lampasas Co. Thinks he was
shot at by deer hunter while
dove hunting. The winter
dove season should not begin
until after the deer hunting
season ends to reduce conflicts
and because more and larger
doves are around later.

7. Ken Watts, 1/9/01, Killeen.
Favors the 70-day season
instead of the 60-day season
in the Central Zone.

8. John Clark, 1/12/01,
Bosier City, LA. Prefers
longer (70 days) dove season
and smaller bag (12) in
North Zone (Knox and Haskell
Counties) but wants those
additional days in January.

9. Daniel Sullivan, 1/25/01.
Prefers 12/70 in the South
Zone and first season segment
open later in mid-October
and close in early December
concurrent with the quail
season.

10. Chris Kallima, 1/31/01,
Hidalgo Co. Landowner prefers
12 dove daily bag limit
and a 70 day season in the
South Zone with the 10 additional
days added to the end of
the second season segment
as first priority or possible
beginning of the second
season segment as second
priority

11. Richard Lee, 2/8/01,
Brownwood. Executive Outfitters.
Prefers first season segment
in the Central Zone be extended
through the third weekend
in October (Oct. 21) by
taking 3-4 days from the
winter season segment in
January (in 15/60 option).
Doves in Coleman, Brown,
Callahan Counties do not
arrive in large numbers
until after the first season
segment closes (i.e., Oct.
17, 2000). His secondary
preference would be for
a 70-day season with 12-bird
bag limit with the 10 additional
days put in late October.

14. John Dermid, 2/28/01,
Richardson. Hunts North
and Central Zone. Prefers
12-bird bag, no winter season
segment in the Central Zone
and noon to sunset only
shooting hours. Winter segment
conflicts with deer and
quail hunting.

25. Ed Williams, 3/12/01,
Denton. Prefers 15/60 for
doves in the North Zone.

26. Robert Echols, 3/14/01,
Longview. Prefers 15/60
for doves in the North and
Central Zones.

27. Rick Hodges, 3/20/01,
Medina and Uvalde counties.
Outfitter recommends moving
the Central Zone line down
to Highway 57 through Frio,
Zavala and Maverick counties
because doves north of Highway
90 move south across the
road as soon as shooting
begins in the Central Zone
on Sept. 1. Does not prefer
a winter season because
no doves in his area after
Nov. 1 and what they have
are too spooky. Prefers
afternoon-only hunting as
ok with a 12-bird bag limit.

1. William Mathis, 4/14/00,
Houston. Recommends 3 dove
opening dates instead of
2 – open N. Zone 1st weekend
or 1 Sept., open C. Zone
second weekend, and open
S. Zone as current. Multiple
opening would increase hunting
opportunity, as some hunters
would travel to participate
in these opening hunts.

3. Dan Saunders, 11/21/00,
Uvalde. Dove season south
of U.S. Highway 90 opens
in late September after
doves have customarily left.
He recommends a Sept. 1
opening in this area but
does not care if the season
is 70 days long with a 12-bird
bag limit or 60 days long
with a 15-bird bag limit.

4. Representative Barry
Telford, 1/18/01, DeKalb.
On behalf of his constituents,
he requests changing the
mourning dove North and
Central Zone line in northeastern
Texas to allow hunters the
opportunity to participate
in the Central Zone’s
winter season segment when
there is a higher concentration
of birds.

5. Mark Hamilton, 2/26/01,
Dallas. Prefers current
15/60 dove regulations in
the North and Central Zones.

6. Terry Fricke, 2/26/01,
Dallas. Prefers current
15/60 dove regulations in
the North and Central Zones.

7. Greg Trout, 3/1/01,
Dallas. Prefers current
15/60 dove regulations in
the North and Central Zones.

8. Joe Holloway, 3/1/01,
Athens. Prefers current
15/60 dove regulations in
the North and Central Zones.

13. C. Brown, 3/5/01, Lytle.
Open South Dove Zone within
10 days of the North Zone
or North Zone on Labor Day
weekend, Central Zone the
weekend after and the South
Zone the weekend after the
Central.

14. Charles James, 3/6/01,
The Colony. Leave dove season
length 60 days and daily
bag limit 15 in all Zones.

15. Albert Faetche, Jr,
3/6/01, Abilene. Extend
the dove season through
the end of October in the
Central Zone and give up
the winter season because
northern doves don’t
arrive until the first season
closes.

16. Rhonda Rittenhouse,
3/9/01, Dallas. Prefers
15/60 in the North and Central
Zones.

18. Gary Vandusen, 3/12/01,
Longview. Leave dove season
length 60 days and daily
bag limit 15 in the North
and Central Zones…actually
prefers 45-day season and
20-bird bag limit.

19. Mike Robbins, 3/12/01,
Houston. Prefers Zone C
crane season open earlier
in December to compensate
for lost days due to federal
regulations not allowing
crane hunting during the
Light Goose Conservation
Order.

20. David Montgomery, 3/12/01,
Hondo. County Judge for
Medina County reported results
of a hearing by the Court
from Camino Real Wildlife
Management Association comprising
about 80 members and 21,000
acres. The Court strongly
concurs by unanimous vote
and requests that TPW Commission
move all of Medina County
into the Central Dove Hunting
Zone and that U.S. Highway
57 be the geographical boundary
separating the Central and
South Zones. Further, they
recommend that dove shooting
hours be limited noon to
Sunset and aggregate daily
bag limit reduced to 12.

21. Can Coy, 3/19/01, Dallas.
Prefers 15/60 in the North
and Central Zones.

27. Carol Williams, 5/25/01,
Pearsall. Prefers 12/70
in the South Zone using
10 additional days to open
the first season on prior
Monday instead of Friday
and on second season, open
day before Christmas.

28. Roger Barnes, 4/25/01,
Austin. Prefers 12/70 in
the Central Zone with 10
days added in late October.

29. Richard Harrison, 4/25/01,
Kilgore. Prefers 12/70 in
the North Zone and split
the season with 10 days
in Nov. or Dec. when northern
doves arrive.

Email:

1. Rick Brint, 8/8/00.
Last year Zone C crane season
was reduced from 37 days
to 16 days due to conflicts
with the light goose conservation
order. Recommends opening
Zone C several weeks earlier
this year.

2. Charles W. Jensen, 8/27/00.
Zone C crane season opens
too late and is closed too
early due to the Light Goose
Conservation Order. This “really
punishes those of us that
enjoy a real quality eating
gamebird.” Either
open the crane season earlier
or stop closing it early.

3. Mark Williams, 9/7/00,
Del Rio. The redefinition
of baiting for migratory
birds fails to adequately
address the issue. We hunt
tanks and don’t fill
deer feeders until after
dove season is over. This
past weekend, one of the
feeders at one of our tanks
was shaken, depositing 5
kernels of corn on the ground
- "baiting the area". Please
make a SANE law. Decide
what the bag limit should
be and let us live with
the limit. Why should someone
be fined over a drop of
corn while hunting over
a poorly harvested field
is considered a legal hunt?
Please consider amending
this law to benefit all
hunters.

4. Ron Krenek, 11/18/00,
Colorado Co. Landowner/hunter
west of Garwood supports
changing South Zone Dove
season to 12-bird limit
and 70-day season. Doves
don’t build up in
this area until after the
first season ends in November
and seem to peak before
the Dec. 26th second season
opener. Usually some fronts
blow in before the 26th
and thin numbers considerably.
Opening the season an extra
10 days early would really
help - my 3 girls aged 14,
10, and 8 love to hunt the
doves. It makes a nice combination
hunt - we hunt the ducks
and geese early, finish
that and put up the steel
shot, go and get the dove
shot and enjoy some dove
hunting.

7. “Van”, 1/18/01.
Southern Duck Hunter Discussion
Forum. “I'm with the
TP&WD on the idea that
if hunters did not use electronic
callers and unplugged shotguns,
they should be allowed to
take cranes within the previously
established guidelines.”

8. “Goldeneye”,
1/18/01. Southern Duck Hunter
Discussion Forum. “I
get sick and tired of the
USFWS closing certain seasons
that were already established
simply because that species
may tempt a hunter too much
while hunting a different
species. If you can't tell
the difference between a
Sandhill crane and a goose,
then you don't need to be
hunting either. Under this
kind of thinking, I'm surprised
the USFWS even allows Snow
Goose hunting on the coast
where whooping cranes live.
They have the same color
pattern afterall! I'm also
surprised they even allow
the early teal season since
there are other duck species
around at the time. Again,
if you can't tell the difference
then you shouldn't be hunting
during that time period.”

9. Ron Howard, 1/18/01.
[Regarding TPW news release
notifying hunters of closed
sandhill crane season due
to the Light Goose Conservation
Order]. “ I see a
continuing trend in some
FWS regulations, that appears
to contain a presumption
that wildfowlers are intent
on violating the rules rather
than being and wishing to
be compliant with them….
, but my experience with
the majority is that they
tend to be conservative
with respect to the regulations
and to make every effort
to be in compliance, even
when the regulations are
unclear. This leads me to
conclude that the restriction
of the sandhill crane season, … is
more a case of Washington "what-ifs" than
a concern by on-the-ground
managers. It would simply
mean that snow goose hunters
during the management season
would need to forego shots
at cranes when they are
not in compliance with the
normally standard hunting
regulations. The problem
with snow goose populations
is clear. We are positioned
to assist…, but we
are asked to take a hit
in another season to maximize
our impacts on the problem.
Thus it seems to be a case
of "we want your help with
a problem" coupled with
an "oh, by the way, here's
a poke in the eye with a
sharp stick in appreciation
for your cooperation."

10. Bret Burford, 1/18/01.
[Regarding TPW news release
notifying hunters of closed
sandhill crane season due
to the Light Goose Conservation
Order] Does not think there
is enough hunting pressure
on cranes that extending
the open area would be a
problem. Cutting back the
date for the rolling plains
is not a problem-they are
only here from late Sept.
thru early November. You
could not shoot one now
if you wanted to. The Feds
should make this info. available
in time for the states'
publishing of regulation
books.

210. Doug McGuire, 4/30/01,
Katy. Prefers 12/70 in the
South Zone with 10 additional
days in Dec.-Jan. Season.

211. Mark Williams, 5/1/01.
Prefers 15/60 in the South
Zone and revising baiting
regulations so not a violation
to hunt doves near deer
feeders.

212. Jason Koeppen, 5/1/01.
Prefers 12/70 in the South
Zone with 10 additional
days before the first season,
or alternately, beginning
of the second season.

213. Mark Delcambre, 5/2/01.
Prefers 12/70, zone not
specified.

214. Walter Fortney, 5/3/01.
Prefers 12/70, zone not
specified.

215. Steve Winter, 5/8/01.
Prefers 12/70 in the South
Zone.

216. Charles Lambrecht,
5/8/01. Prefers 12/70 in
the South Zone and wants
the season to start 10 days
earlier.

Personal Contacts:

1. Terry Cook, 4/29/01.
Prefers 15/60 in the North
Zone.

2. Bert Smith, 4/29/01.
Prefers 15/60 in the North
Zone.

3. Kelly Knight, 4/29/01.
Prefers 15/60 in the North
Zone.

4. Jack Turner, 4/29/01.
Prefers 15/60 in the North
Zone.

5. J. T. Smith, 4/29/01.
Prefers 15/60 in the North
Zone.

6. Paul Cooke, 4/29/01.
Prefers 15/60 in the North
Zone.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

NORTH ZONE:

New Boston, 3/1/01.
5 attending, one comment
on doves, wanted a winter
season segment in November
north of IH30.

Amarillo, 3/5/01.
10 attending. Two preferred
the 15/60 dove bag limit
and season length. “Dove
hunting opportunities in
much of the Panhandle are
limited to just the first
few weekends because the
birds usually migrate out
by mid to late September.

Grapevine, 3/6/01.
28 attending. 2 in favor
of 15/60, one in favor of
afternoon only shooting
hours, one wanted to hunt
in August instead of the
winter season segment, one
wanted 3 days removed from
the winter season and moved
to October in the Central
and South Zones, one wanted
the second season to open
after the deer season closes.

Lubbock, 3/6/01.
12 attending. 1 in favor
of 12/70.

Graham, 3/7/01.
8 attending. 1 in favor
of later opening date for
dove in the Central Zone.

CENTRAL ZONE:

Tyler, 2/27/01.

Lufkin, 2/28/01.
4 attending. 0 spoke on
dove discussion items.

San Angelo, 2/28/01.
7 attending. One favored
12/70 and one favored 15/60.
One favored the extra 10
days added to then end of
the first season segment
in October in the Central
Zone.

Waco, 3/1/01.
9 attending. One favored
12/70 with adding 10 additional
days at end of the first
season segment in October
in the Central Zone. He
favors eliminating the winter
season segment and putting
those days into late October
and early November.

Alpine, 3/1/01.
0 attending.

LaGrange, 3/7/01.
10 attending. One spoke
in favor of 12/70 but would
like the 10 additional days
added to the end of the
winter season segment.

Brownwood, 3/8/01.
7 attending. 0 spoke on
dove discussion items.

SOUTH ZONE:

Galveston, 2/26/01.
13 attending. No comments
on doves.

San Antonio, 2/26/01.
10 attending. One comment
favoring longer dove season
(12/70) but prefers southern
Medina and Frio counties
moved back into the Central
Zone with the earlier opening
date of Sept. 1. One landowner
wanting to move ALL of Medina,
Uvalde and Kinney Counties
into the Central Zone versus
using Hwy 90 as the boundary
between zones. He recommended
moving the South Zone dove
boundary line south of SA
on IH 35 then west on Hwy
57 to Eagle Pass instead
of Hwy 90 west of SA. One
comment preferring half
day dove hunting. One comment
on having the special Whitewing
season in upper South Zone
around San Antonio. One
comment preferring South
Zone start on a fixed date
(Sept. 20) like the North
and Central Zones (Sept.
1) so reservations and hunts
can be planned in advance.

Del Rio, 2/27/01.
0 attending.

Port Aransas, 2/28/01.
0 attending.

Brownsville, 3/5/01. 3
attending, 1 comment on
dove regulations. A dove/quail
outfitter from La Media
Lodge just outside of San
Manuel was in favor of the
dove season change to 70/12.
Wanted the winter season
later in the season after
12/25 or after 1/8 rather
than starting 12/15 and
ending 1/8 so that this
would maximize peak hunting
times and encourage more
kids to hunt. Stated that
the current second split
was not used by many people
because of the family commitments
during holidays. Wanted
to see a 12/25 to 1/1 and
a 1/12 to 1/18 or just make
the additional days in one
lump time somewhere after
Jan 1. Favored quail season
changes and the overlap
with dove and quail. Stated
that many individuals like
the combo hunts.

Beeville, 3/6/01. 2
attending, 1 in favor of
changing to 12/70 (bag limit/hunt
days). The other one was
indifferent on dove discussion
item ("I never kill a limit
anyway much less 12 or 15.
It doesn't matter!").

Carrizo Springs,
3/8/01. 0 attendance.

Table 1. Summary of 2001
Public Hearing Comments
regarding dove hunting regulations
by location, date, hunting
zone and specific regulation.
Of 19 statewide public hearings,
there were only 22 individuals
commenting on dove regulations.
Of these 22, 15 commented
on the bag limit/season
length issue. Those responses
were nearly evenly divided
(8:7) statewide.

Location

Zone

Date

Attending

Comments

% Comment

# Prefer 15/60

# Prefer 12/70

Other

New Boston

North

1-Mar

5

1

20%

Put NE TX in the
Central Zone so can
have a winter season.

Amarillo

North

5-Mar

10

2

20%

2

Grapevine

North

6-Mar

28

4

14%

2

(1) afternoon only
shooting hours, (1)
Aug. instead of winter
season, (1) 3 days
from winter season
to Oct. in S. and
C. zones, (1) 2nd
season open after
deer season closes

Lubbock

North

6-Mar

12

1

8%

1

Graham

North

7-Mar

8

1

13%

(1) later Sept.
opening date in C.
zone.

Subtotal

North

63

9

14%

4

1

Tyler

Central

27-Feb

19

3

16%

3

Lufkin

Central

28-Feb

4

0

0%

San Angelo

Central

28-Feb

7

2

29%

1

1

w/10 days added
to end of 1st season
segment in Oct. in
C. zone

Waco

Central

1-Mar

9

1

11%

1

w/10 days added
to end of 1st season,
Eliminate winter season & put
days into late Oct.-early
Nov.